West Virginia is home to 67 native species of wild mammals and seven non-natives. Most animals you see today, like the deer, are survivors from the large eastern forests that existed when European-American settlers arrived. A few animals, like the northern flying squirrel and snowshoe hare, are found only in the high mountains because they were left behind after the Ice Age. Settlers eliminated large animals like the mountain lion, bison, elk, and gray wolf. However, many have been reintroduced since then.

West Virginia is home to two federally protected bats: the Virginia big-eared bat and the Indiana bat. They hibernate in the state's limestone caves.

Shrews are tiny, fast predators that eat a huge amount of insects and worms, which helps control pests. The short-tailed shrew is probably our most abundant mammal.

The beaver, fisher, and river otter were all eliminated by the 1930s but have been successfully reintroduced through conservation programs. The coyote (pictured) is a recent newcomer, moving in to fill the "large predator" spot after the wolves and mountain lions were gone. Bear populations declined due to habitat loss but have made a strong comeback thanks to forest regrowth and careful wildlife management.